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Abstract:

A system collects information on performance of short-range wireless
communication in local hearing aid systems. The information is analyzed,
for example, to inform local users to adjust the local hearing aid
systems, to adjust operational parameters for improving wireless
communication in the local hearing aid systems, and/or to improve
wireless connectivity and reliability in future products.

Claims:

1. A system for monitoring short-range wireless communication in a local
hearing aid system, the system comprising; a local device configured to
be communicatively coupled to the local hearing aid system and to collect
information related to performance of the short-range wireless
communication; a network; and a computer communicatively coupled to the
local device through the network and configured to receive, store, and
analyze the information related to performance of the short-range
wireless communication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes packet errors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes retries.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes FEC errors.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes throughput.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the information is used to proved bases
for modifying an operational parameter related to the short-range
wireless communication.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the operation parameter includes
frequency band.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the operation parameter includes
modulation type.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the operation parameter includes symbol
rate.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the operation parameter includes
spreading codes.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless communication
includes radio frequency communication.

12. A method, including: monitoring short-range wireless communication in
a local hearing aid system using a local device, including collecting
information related to performance of the short-range wireless
communication system; transmitting the information from the local device
to a computer using a network, the computer configured to receive, store
and analyze the information; and using the information to improve
performance of the short-range wireless communication system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring short-range wireless
communication in a local hearing aid system using a local device includes
communicatively coupling the local device to a first hearing aid in a
first ear.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein monitoring short-range wireless
communication in a local hearing aid system using a local device includes
communicatively coupling the local device to a second hearing aid in a
second ear.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein monitoring short-range wireless
communication in a local hearing aid system includes using the second
hearing aid to eavesdrop on the local device and the first hearing aid.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein monitoring short-range wireless
communication in a local hearing aid system using a local device includes
communicatively coupling the first hearing aid in the first ear to a
second hearing aid in the second ear.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein using the information to improve
performance of the short-range wireless communication system includes
notifying a user of a local hearing aid system to use a shorter range to
communicate with the local hearing aid system using the local device.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein using the information to improve
performance of the short-range wireless communication system includes,
when environmental interference is determined to be beyond tolerability
of the local hearing aid system, notifying a user of the local hearing
aid system to switch to wired communication between the local device and
the local hearing aid system.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein using the information to improve
performance of the short-range wireless communication system includes
using the information to modify operational parameters related to the
short-range wireless communication.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein using the information to improve
performance of the short-range wireless communication system includes
using the information to improve performance of the short-range wireless
communication between hearing aids, configuring devices, and/or any other
components of the local hearing aid systems.

Description:

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/391,869, filed on Oct.
11, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This document relates generally to hearing aids and more
particularly to a system and method for monitoring and adjusting
short-range wireless communication in hearing aid systems.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Short-range wireless communication is used in hearing aid systems
to provide for functions such as ear to ear synchronization, remote
control, configuration, streaming audio, and bi-directional audio. Such
short-range wireless communication may use radio frequency (RF)
electromagnetic waves in frequency ranges that do not require a license
to operate. Electromagnetic waves from other electronic devices in the
vicinity of a hearing aid system may therefore interfere with the
wireless communication in that hearing aid system. Thus, there is a need
to ensure quality of wireless communication in hearing aid systems.

SUMMARY

[0004] A system collects information on performance of short-range
wireless communication in local hearing aid systems. The information is
analyzed, for example, to inform local users to adjust the local hearing
aid systems, to adjust operational parameters for improving wireless
communication in the local hearing aid systems, and/or to improve
wireless connectivity and reliability in future products. In various
embodiments, a local device collects the information from a local hearing
system and transmits the collected information to a computer through a
network. The computer stores and/or analyzes the information. In various
applications the information collected can be used to determine
improvements of the use of the overall system. In various applications
the information collected can be used to make determinations about the
wireless environments hearing aid systems are being used in.

[0005] This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present
application and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment
of the present subject matter. Further details about the present subject
matter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. The
scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system
for monitoring short-range communication in a hearing aid system.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hearing aid system
using wireless devices in a direct communication mode.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hearing aid system
using wireless devices in an eavesdropping communication mode.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hearing aid system
using wireless devices in a relaying communication mode.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system
for monitoring short-range communication in multiple local hearing aid
systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following detailed description of the present subject matter
refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way
of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present
subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
present subject matter. References to "an", "one", or "various"
embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same
embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The
following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a
limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined by the
appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which
such claims are entitled.

[0012] This document discusses a system for monitoring and analyzing
performance of short-range wireless communication links in hearing aid
systems. In various embodiments, such communication links may operate in
unlicensed radio-frequency (RF) bands and allow for, for example,
configuring hearing aids using wireless devices. Hearing aids may be
configured and/or used in environments with substantial electromagnetic
interference from various sources. Cognitive radio techniques are used to
avoid harmful interference and/or prevent creation of interference for
other devices. These cognitive radio techniques are applied to identify
and reduce interference by modifying the operational parameters of each
hearing aid system, such as carrier frequency, symbol rate, occupied
bandwidth, time multiplexing, forward error correction, spreading codes,
and hop sequences. One or more of these parameters are tunable based on
the characteristics of the interference to ensure reliable wireless
communication in the hearing aid system. The present system provides for
information of such characteristics of the interference present in the
environment of each hearing aid system by collecting and analyzing
relevant data from that hearing aid system. By monitoring a wide range of
situations in various environments, wireless communication links in
hearing aid systems are optimized for best throughput and reliability.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system
100 for monitoring short-range communication in a hearing aid system.
System 100 includes a hearing aid system 102, a local device 104, a
network 106, and a computer 108. In various embodiments, system 100
allows for monitoring of short-range wireless communication in multiple
local hearing aid systems through multiple local devices, as further
discussed below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0014] In various embodiments, hearing aid system 102 includes multiple
hearing aids communicatively coupled to each other via one or more
short-range wireless communication links, or a hearing aid configuring
device communicatively coupled to one or more hearing aids via one or
more short-range wireless communication links. While some embodiments of
hearing aid system 102 are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 2-4
for illustrative purposes, the present subject matter is applicable to
any hearing aid systems in which short-range wireless communication is
employed.

[0015] Local device 104 is communicatively coupled to hearing aid system
102. In various embodiments, local device 104 is a computer. In various
applications that computer is executing a fitting software for hearing
aids. In various embodiments, the computer is embodied in a personal
computer. In various embodiments, the computer is embodied in a handheld
personal device, such as a cell phone or personal digital assistant. In
various embodiments, the personal computer is an iPad by Apple Computer
of Cupertino, Calif. In various embodiments, local device 104 is a
router. In various embodiments, local device 104 is a wireless
communication point or node. In various embodiments, local device 104
includes one or more of the interface embodiments demonstrated in U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/687,707, filed Jun. 5, 2005,
entitled: COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/447,617, filed Jun. 5, 2006, entitled:
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES which claims the benefit
of the provisional application, the entire disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference. In various embodiments, one or more of
the hearing aids use the radio technology provided in Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/687,707, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/447,617, both of which are incorporated by reference in their
entirety. In various embodiments a low power system is provided to allow
communications between the configuring devices and one or more hearing
aids.

[0016] Local device 104 allows for programming and reprogramming of
hearing aid system 102, including its operational parameters controlling
the short-range wireless communication, as well as data collection from
hearing aid system 102, including information related to operation and
performance of the short-range wireless communication. In one embodiment,
local device 104 is coupled to hearing aid system 102 via wired
connections such as Ethernet, USB, and FireWire. In another embodiment,
local device 104 is coupled to hearing aid system 102 via wireless
connections such as BlueTooth®, WiFi, and cellular network.

[0017] Local device 104 communicates with computer 108 through network
106. Network 106 can be a LAN, the INTERNET, some other
telecommunications network, or combinations thereof. The network 106
provides computer 108 with access to information on hearing aid system
102 collected by local device 104, including information related to the
short-range wireless communication. Computer 108 includes a database 110
that stores such information and a data analyzer 112 that analyzes such
information. In various embodiments, computer 108 may be part of a
hearing aid service facility that provides for services to users of
hearing aids and their configuring devices. Examples of information
collected by local device 104 and uploaded to database 110 include
interference parameters such as the number of in-band and out-of-band
interferers, frequencies of the interferers, levels of the interferers,
extent to which a bandwidth is occupied by the interferers, and duration
at which the interferers are present. The information may also include
results of analyses of one or more of such interference parameters
performed by local device 104. In various embodiments, local device 104
and/or data analyzer 112 analyze the information collected from hearing
aid system 102, such as by generating statistics on one or more of the
interference parameters.

[0018] In one embodiment, local device 104 and/or data analyzer 112
produce temporal statistics such as hop frequency, time slot allocation,
and similar parameters related to the short-range wireless communication
as indicators of how the bandwidth of the short-range wireless
communication is being utilized and how to optimize the operation of the
short-range wireless communication in the presence of the interferers. In
one embodiment, such statistics are stored in database 110 and used to
improve or optimize the short-range wireless communication in hearing aid
system 102. For example, the information may be used to modify firmware
that controls the media access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers of
the local devices (such as devices 222, 322 and 422 as discussed below)
and the hearing aids (such as hearing aids 224, 228, 324, 328, 424, and
428 as discussed below). In some embodiments, such statistics are used to
provide a user such as an audiologist who operates hearing system 102
with information on how to ensure reliable communication between the
configuration device and hearing aids. For example, the information is
used to inform the user as to the reliability of the environment for the
short-range wireless communication and suggest steps for the user to
improve performance of the communication within hearing aid system 102.
Examples of the suggestions include shortening the distance of the
short-range wireless communication (such as between a hearing aid and its
configuring device), using a different frequency band for the short-range
wireless communication, and using wired communication when the
interferences in the environment reach thresholds beyond the capability
of the short-range wireless communication link(s) of hearing aid system
102.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hearing aid system
202 using wireless devices in a direct communication mode. System 202,
which represents an embodiment of system 102, uses wireless devices in a
direct communication mode with a local device 222. Local device 222
transmits signals 225 to a first hearing aid 224 including first audio
information. Local device 222 also transmits signals 229 to a second
hearing aid 228 including second audio information. In this embodiment,
first hearing aid 224 does not have a wireless connection to second
hearing aid 228 for transmitting stereo information from first hearing
aid 224 to second hearing aid 228. Thus, the first audio information is
wirelessly received by first hearing aid 224 and played to a first ear of
the wearer and second audio information is wirelessly received by second
hearing aid 228 and played to the second ear of the wearer.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hearing aid system
302 using wireless devices in an eavesdropping communication mode. System
302, which represents another embodiment of system 102, in various
embodiments supports eavesdropping modes. For example, as shown in FIG.
3, in system 302 local device 322 is in communications with a first
hearing aid 324 via signals 325. A second hearing aid 328 can "listen in"
on communications from local device 322 using a mode that is different
than the mode used by first hearing aid 324. For instance, it is possible
that second hearing aid 328 receives signals 330, but does not control,
for example, handshaking with local device 322 to the same extent as
first communication device 324. Other eavesdropping modes can be employed
without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

[0021] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of a hearing aid system
402 using wireless devices in a relaying communication mode. System 402
represents another embodiment of system 102. FIG. 4 depicts one
embodiment where a relaying mode is employed to communicate wirelessly
between a first hearing aid 424 and a second hearing aid 428. In this
embodiment, first and second audio information is sent over signal 425 to
first hearing aid 424. The second audio information is then relayed to
second hearing aid 428 via relay signal 431. Such relay may be performed
using different frequencies, different communication modes and with
different data rates, for different implementations if desired. In one
embodiment, first hearing aid 424 may demodulate and decode stereo
information and encode and relay the channel bound for the instrument on
or in the other ear. In various embodiments, the communications can be
made using similar transmissions to the primary transmission. In various
embodiments, the communications can be made using a different method than
that of the primary transmission. In various embodiments, the signals 425
and 431 are unidirectional. In various other embodiments, the signals 425
and 431 are bidirectional. In various embodiments, the signals 425 and
431 are programmably combinations of unidirectional and/or bidirectional.
Thus, the system 400 is highly programmable to adapt to a number of
communication requirements and applications. In one embodiment, relay
signal 431 is a substantially magnetically coupled or near field
communication link. In one embodiment, a telecoil is employed to receive
the relay signal 431. In one embodiment, a magnetic sensor is used to
receive the relay signal 431. In one embodiment, relay signal 431 is an
RF or far field communication link. Other communication links, such as
infrared and ultrasonic may be employed in various applications.

[0022] In the various embodiments and applications provided herein,
different communications electronics are used by the local hearing aid
systems (e.g., 202, 302, and 402) to provide different communication
modes for the stereo information. For example, in one embodiment a first
channel and a second channel are employed to communicate the stereo
information to the first and second ears, respectively. In one
embodiment, the electronics includes frequency division multiplexed
communications electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics includes
time division multiplexed communications electronics. In one embodiment,
the electronics includes code division multiplexed communications
electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics includes packetized
communications electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics includes
analog communications electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics
includes frequency modulated communications electronics. In one
embodiment, the electronics includes single sideband communications
electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics includes amplitude
modulated communications electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics
includes phase modulated communications electronics. Other modulation and
communications embodiments are within the scope of the present subject
matter and those examples provided herein are intended to demonstrate the
flexibility and adaptability of the present subject matter.

[0023] The local hearing aid systems (e.g., 202, 302, and 402) in various
embodiments can also support communications modes where the first audio
information and the second audio information are the same or
substantially the same audio information.

[0024] In various embodiments, the local device (e.g., 222, 322, and 422)
supports one or more communication protocols. In various embodiments,
communications of far field signals are supported. Some embodiments
employ 2.4 GHz communications. In various embodiments the wireless
communications can include standard or nonstandard communications. Some
examples of standard wireless communications include, but are not limited
to, FM, AM, SSB, BlueTooth®, IEEE 802.11 (wireless LANs) WiFi, 802.15
(WPANs), 802.16 (WiMAX), 802.20, and cellular protocols including, but
not limited to CDMA (code division multiple access) and GSM, ZigBee, and
ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies. Such protocols support radio frequency
communications and some support infrared communications. Other available
forms of wireless communications include ultrasonic, optical, and others.
It is understood that the standards which can be used include past and
present standards. It is also contemplated that future versions of these
standards and new future standards may be employed without departing from
the scope of the present subject matter.

[0025] Such local devices (e.g., 222, 322, and 422) include, but are not
limited to, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, personal
computers, streaming audio devices, wide area network devices, local area
network devices, personal area network devices, and remote microphones.
In various embodiments, the local device includes one or more of the
interface embodiments demonstrated in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/687,707, filed Jun. 5, 2005, entitled: COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
FOR WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/447,617, filed Jun. 5, 2006, entitled: COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR
WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES which claims the benefit of the provisional
application, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference. In various embodiments, one or more of the hearing aids use
the radio technology provided in Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/687,707, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/447,617, both of
which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In various
embodiments a low power system is provided to allow communications
between the local devices and one or more hearing aids.

[0026] In the embodiments demonstrated herein, the wearer has first and
second hearing aids. In various embodiments, such devices include, but
are not limited to, various types of hearing aids. In one embodiment, at
least one wireless hearing assistance device is a behind-the-ear hearing
aid. In one embodiment, at least one wireless hearing assistance device
is an in-the-ear hearing aid. In one embodiment, at least one wireless
hearing assistance device is a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid. In
various embodiments, at least one wireless hearing assistance device is a
receiver-in-the-canal device (RIC, also known as a receiver-in-the-ear or
RITE type device). In one embodiment, at least one wireless hearing
assistance device is a wireless earpiece. Various examples of wireless
adapters for some hearing assistance devices using a direct-audio input
(DAI) interface are demonstrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/207,591, filed Aug. 18, 2005, entitled "WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
ADAPTER FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE;" and PCT Patent Application No.
PCT/US2005/029971, filed Aug. 18, 2005, entitled "WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
ADAPTER FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE," the entire disclosures of which
are incorporated by reference.

[0027] The wireless hearing aids can contain a microphone to receive
sounds. Some examples include a microphone for reception of ambient
sound, which can be encoded and transmitted by the wireless hearing
assistance device. Another example is a microphone adapted for reception
of speech by the wearer of the device. The speech can be encoded and
transmitted by the wireless hearing assistance device. It is understood
that in certain embodiments, the wireless hearing aids may be wireless
hearing assistance devices. One type of hearing assistance device is a
hearing aid. Other wireless communication devices may be employed having
various information to communicate. Thus, the devices can support
bidirectional communication modes.

[0028] In various embodiments, the communications between the configuring
device and one or more wireless communication devices are unidirectional.
In various embodiments, the communications between the configuring device
and one or more wireless communication devices are bidirectional. In
various embodiments, the communications include at least one
unidirectional communication and one bidirectional communication. Thus,
the system is highly programmable to adapt to a number of communication
requirements and applications. In relaying embodiments, it is understood
that the communications can be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0029] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate, by way of example, and not by way of
limitation, various local hearing aid systems employing short-range
wireless communication links. Such short-range wireless communication
links as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 include the wireless communication link
between local device 222 and hearing aid 224 for transmitting signals
225, the wireless communication link between local device 222 and hearing
aid 228 for transmitting signals 229, the wireless communication link
between local device 322 and hearing aid 324 for transmitting signals
325, the wireless communication link from local device 322 to hearing aid
328 for transmitting signals 330, the wireless communication link between
local device 422 and hearing aid 424 for transmitting signals 425, and
the wireless communication link between hearing aid 424 and hearing aid
428 for relaying signals 431. In various embodiments, local hearing aid
system 102, including its various embodiments, employs any one or more
short-range wireless communication links. System 100 provides for
monitoring and analyzing the environment and performance of the one or
more short-range wireless communication links to provide information
allowing for improvement or optimization of their performance.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system
500 for monitoring short-range communication in multiple local hearing
aid systems. System 500 represents an embodiment of system 100 with
computer 108 communicating with local hearing aid systems 502A-M through
local devices 504A-N. A plurality of local hearing aid systems 502A-M
each employs one or more short-range wireless communication links.
Examples for each of local hearing aid systems 502A-M include, but are
not limited to, systems 202, 302, and 402. Local devices 504A-N are each
communicatively coupled to one or more systems of local hearing aid
systems 502A-M. In various embodiments, local computers 504A-N allow for
programming and reprogramming of local hearing aid system 502A-M,
including their operational parameters controlling the short-range
wireless communication, as well as data collection from local hearing aid
systems 502A-M, including information related to operation and
performance of the short-range wireless communication links. In various
embodiments, local computer 504A-N are each coupled to one or more of
local hearing aid systems 502A-M via wired connections such as Ethernet,
USB, and FireWire and/or wireless connections such as BlueTooth®,
WiFi, and cellular network. Local computers 504A-N communicate with
computer 108 through network 106 as set forth herein.

[0031] In various embodiments, information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 allows for notification of an operator of a local
hearing aid system such as system 102 or one of system 502A-M that a
shorter range may be necessary to reliably communicate with the wearer's
hearing aids using a local device. When the environmental interference is
beyond the tolerability of a local hearing aid system, the user is
notified that wired communication may be necessary for reliable
configuration of the hearing aids.

[0032] In various embodiments, information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 provides bases for modifying operational parameters
related to the short-range wireless communication in each local hearing
aid system, including frequency bands, modulation type, symbol rate,
spreading codes, and/or any other operational parameter that may improve
performance of the short-range wireless communication.

[0033] In various embodiments, information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 provides bases for improving performance of short-range
wireless communication in future products including hearing aids,
configuring devices, and/or any other components of the local hearing aid
systems.

[0034] In various applications, the computer 108 can be used to instruct
the operator of local device 104 to change communications with the
hearing aids 102 based on information received by computer 108. In some
applications a fitting professional might be instructed to change fitting
parameters or to perform a wired connection to improve communications
with hearing aids 102. Such examples are demonstrative and not intended
in an exhaustive or limiting sense. Other applications and uses are
possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

[0035] In various embodiments, the information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 includes interference parameters associated with unused
channels in the short-range wireless communication. The information is
analyzed to generate statistics with respect to, for example,
interference levels, duty cycles, modulation methods, and amplitudes that
are encountered by the unused channels. The statistics are used to adjust
MAC and PHY layer parameters for improving wireless connectivity and
reliability of the short-range wireless communication, and/or for
improving wireless connectivity and reliability in future products.

[0036] In various embodiments, the information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 is statistically analyzed. The resulting statistics are
used to provide a user of a local hearing aid system with information
related to the health of the wireless communication in that local hearing
aid system and recommendation for adjustments. Examples of such
recommendations include range of communication to be expected, band to be
used, and whether wireless communication should be used.

[0037] In various embodiments, the information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 includes packet errors, retries, FEC errors, and
throughput. The results of the analysis are used to modify and improve
the short-range wireless communication. The modification and improvement
may include adjustment of MAC and PHY layer parameters for improving
wireless connectivity and reliability in existing local hearing aid
systems and/or in future products.

[0038] In various embodiments, the information collected and analyzed by
system 100 or 500 includes interference parameters associated with active
and unused channels of the short-range wireless communication. The
interference parameters are statistically analyzed to determine whether
the environment in which a local hearing aid system operates is suitable
for wireless communication. The results are used to provide the user of
the local hearing aid system with information regarding the health of the
wireless communication and/or a recommendation on whether wired
communication should be used for this environment.

[0039] This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of
the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above
description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The
scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference
to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to
which such claims are entitled.

Patent applications by Jeffrey Paul Solum, Deephaven, MN US

Patent applications by Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Patent applications in class Remote control, wireless, or alarm

Patent applications in all subclasses Remote control, wireless, or alarm